Electrical safety in operating Room

I always make sure that no part of the patient's skin is touching bare metal, such as stirrups or other positioning posts.

During arthroscopies, we try to keep the floor as dry as possible by using floor suction and folded blankets on the floor.

Other aspects of eletrical safety are to not use extension cords if at all possible, make sure all electrical items have up to date biomed stickers, make sure cords are not frayed or worn, never yank a plug out of a socket by its cord, plug essential items into red plugs only (in case of power outages), have all electrical items brought in from outside sources checked by biomed before using them.

Hi,

I have a quick question and would love feedback.When you have bovie pad cords that hang on the floor or near it,I have seen towels placed over the cords.Is it acceptable?What does the AORN recomend?Thanks

Hi,

I have a quick question and would love feedback.When you have bovie pad cords that hang on the floor or near it,I have seen towels placed over the cords.Is it acceptable?What does the AORN recomend?Thanks

I don't know what AORN recommends but the medical reps strongly advise against threading the diathermy cords through metal towel clips. Of course most surgeons ignore this and do it anyway.

Another electrical safety I can think of is making sure that laparoscopic instrument insulation is intact to prevent inadvertent burns to organs.

Also if you have electrical cords on the ground that they aren't being squashed by equipment which can lead to damage.

Be careful with light cords. When you take off the scope and lay the cord on the drape, always, always, put that puppy on "standby." It will burn a hole in the drape in about 4 seconds. Those scopes get hot, make sure they are not on the drape!

Also, if you use electrical extension cords in the OR, they are supposed to me mounted on a pole off the ground and biomed approved. We had one of the old ones that almost set the place on fire!

Be careful with light cords. When you take off the scope and lay the cord on the drape, always, always, put that puppy on "standby." It will burn a hole in the drape in about 4 seconds. Those scopes get hot, make sure they are not on the drape!

Also, if you use electrical extension cords in the OR, they are supposed to me mounted on a pole off the ground and biomed approved. We had one of the old ones that almost set the place on fire!

Ha, you beat me to it, I was going to warn about scope cords...I've seen them burn through drapes(the pt wasn't burned, Thank God!)

Re: electrical safety:

Also do a visual inspection of the electrical cords of all OR equipment prior to use. Especially the OR table cord as sometimes the cord will be underneath the foot of the table and when the table is locked the cord is cut and frayed.

Do not use the ESU as a prep stand as fluids can spill on the unit and cause a

problem.